Bulkhead for facilitating backfilling of a stope upon mining thereof

ABSTRACT

A bulkhead for use in facilitating backfilling of a stope upon mining thereof includes a skid having a base and a pair of post members extending upwardly from the base. The bulkhead also includes a barrier having a primary grid assembly pivotally supported on the pair of post members, at least one secondary grid assembly selectively, and sequentially, stacked upon the primary grid assembly; and a brace selectively stacked upon an uppermost one of the primary grid assembly and the at least one secondary grid assembly. An aspect ratio of the barrier, prior to, backfilling, is operably adjustable by individually adjusting one or more of the primary grid assembly, the secondary grid assembly and the brace to confirm with an aspect ratio of an access tunnel, or a brow, adjacent to the stope for subsequently facilitating backfilling of the stope.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter generally relates to the field ofdevices for use in underground mines. Particularly, the present subjectmatter relates to a bulkhead for facilitating backfilling of a stopeupon mining thereof.

BACKGROUND

Typically, upon mining ore from an underground mine in, or with use of,a stope mining process, the exposed stope would need to be backfilled inorder to prevent, or avoid, the surrounding ore, or earth, from caving,or collapsing, onto other regions, for example, an access tunnel, or abrow, that is adjacent to, or adjoining, the stope. In manyconventionally known practices of stope mining, an embankment is formedin the shape of a bund or a mound. Such bund, or mound, is typicallydeveloped using loose, or flowable, materials including, but not limitedto, sand, stone, or other materials. These flowable materials are knownto offer rigidity only as a mere result of their bulk, or volume, of thematerials themselves in withstanding forces that are likely to beencountered during the backfilling process. However, such an embankment,despite being positioned at a leading edge of the stope i.e., adjoiningthe brow of the stope, would have a large space claim owing to the largeamount of material that is required for effectively creating theembankment with adequate strength to withstand the aforementionedforces. An order of such a large space claim may include apre-determined distance, for example, up to 5 or 10 meters behind theleading edge or brow of the stope.

A secondary material, for example, backfilling paste or concrete pouredinto the stope and up to the embankment may, owing to a poor processdesign with use of the embankment, spill, at least partly or wholly,over the embankment and cause the backfilled material to becomeexcessive i.e., more than that required by mining personnel forbackfilling the stope alone. Consequently, a protective wall that isformed upon hardening of the secondary material would lie at an evengreater distance from the backfilled stope, i.e., further behind theembankment due to the large space claim of the embankment itself. Forexample, a distance of the protective wall from the leading edge, orbrow, of the stope may now lie in the range of 7 to 12 meters.

Moreover, upon hardening of the excessive backfilled material, thisexcessive backfilled material would need to be removed, for instance, byblasting and carrying away the blasted material to another locationbefore resuming mining of the access tunnel or an adjacent stope in theore. Carrying out such extraneous operations prior to resuming miningcauses a significant amount of downtime in regards to an actual miningoperation while also incurring additional time, effort, and costs thatcould reduce profitability and overall revenue to miningpersonnel/company.

In view of the aforementioned drawbacks, typically associated withcreation of mound-like embankments having a large space-claim, thereexists a need for a compact yet sturdy protective barrier that obviatesthe need for increased space requirements while also facilitating miningpersonnel/company to eliminate, or at least minimize, excessive materialthat would otherwise be needed to backfill the stope, blasting theexcessive material upon hardening, and transporting the blasted materialeach of which is known to generate significant amounts of waste.Further, for the aforementioned reasons, it would, therefore, be prudentto implement a protective barrier that is simple to manufacture, orassemble, yet easy to use in facilitating backfilling of the stope uponmining.

SUMMARY

To overcome the above-mentioned limitations and problems, the presentdisclosure provides a bulkhead for use in facilitating backfilling ofthe stope upon mining. The bulkhead of the present disclosure is simpleto manufacture, or assemble, yet easy to use. Further, when not in use,the bulkhead can be folded so as to have a compact configuration i.e.,size and shape. Furthermore, in use, the bulkhead can be set up bymining personnel fairly easily and quickly, for example, in an hour orless. Prior to being used in the backfilling operation, the bulkhead ofthe present disclosure is sprayed with shotcrete and thereafter loadedwith weight i.e., using a weighted member. Consequently, the bulkheaddisclosed herein is sturdy to adequately support, or withstand, theforces that are likely to be encountered during the backfilling process.Although it has been disclosed herein that the weighted member is usedto load the bulkhead with added weight, it is neither suggested, nornecessary. The bulkhead of the present disclosure can withstand theforces encountered during the backfilling process once it has beenmerely sprayed with shotcrete i.e., without the need for added load thatwould otherwise result from use of the weighted member. Moreover, thebulkhead of the present disclosure offers additional flexibility tomining personnel in that the bulkhead may be varied in size to meet oneor more requirements pertaining to an aspect ratio i.e., height and/orwidth of an access tunnel, or a brow, adjoining the stope.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a bulkhead for use infacilitating backfilling of a stope upon mining thereof. The bulkheadincludes a skid having a base and a pair of post members extendingupwardly from the base. The bulkhead also includes a barrier having aprimary grid assembly pivotally supported on the pair of post members,at least one secondary grid assembly selectively, and sequentially,stacked upon the primary grid assembly; and a brace selectively stackedupon a uppermost one of the primary grid assembly and the at least onesecondary grid assembly. An aspect ratio of the barrier, prior to,backfilling, is operably adjustable by individually adjusting one ormore of the primary grid assembly, the secondary grid assembly and thebrace to confirm with an aspect ratio of an access tunnel, or a brow,adjacent to the stope for subsequently facilitating backfilling of thestope.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the base of the skidfurther comprises a pair of legs attached to a bottom portion of thepair of post members. Also, each leg from the pair of legs isequidistantly spaced apart from a mid-plane of the skid with apre-determined distance therebetween.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the skidfurther includes a pair of inclined support members angularly extendingbetween, and attached to, a rear portion of the pair of legs and a topportion of the pair of post members.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the bulkheadalso comprises a weighted member having a pair of holes in alignmentwith corresponding ones of the pair of legs of the base. The weightedmember is slidably, and releasably, engaged with a front portion of thepair of legs upon receipt of the pair of legs within the pair of holes.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the weightedmember is further configured to define at least one horizontalpassageway defined therethrough, and wherein the weighted memberincludes at least one elongated bollard axially disposed within the atleast one horizontal passageway.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the primary gridassembly includes at least one first grid member and at least one secondgrid member pivotally coupled to corresponding ones of the pair of postmembers using hinges.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, each of thefirst and second grid members further include an arcuate stationary rearscreen and a correspondingly arcuate front screen slidably moveable inrelation to the arcuate stationary rear screen, and wherein each of thefront and rear screens have a concave front side and a convex rear side.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the arcuatefront screens of the primary grid assembly has distally located endsthat are adapted to be secured with corresponding sidewalls of theaccess tunnel, or the brow, upon slidably moving the front screen inrelation to the stationary rear screen.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the barrierfurther comprises one or more upright support bars extending along theconvex rear side of the arcuate rear screens, the upright support barshaving top portions defining axially upright primary receptaclestherein.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, each secondarygrid assembly of the barrier comprises a third grid member and a fourthgrid member pivotally connected to each other, wherein each of the thirdand fourth grid members further includes locating pins dependingdownwardly to engage with corresponding ones of the axially uprightprimary receptacles defined in top portions of the upright support barsfor rendering the at least one secondary grid assembly co-planar withthe primary grid assembly when stacked sequentially upon the primarygrid assembly.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, each of thethird and fourth grid members further include an arcuate stationary rearscreen and a correspondingly arcuate front screen slidably moveable inrelation to the arcuate stationary rear screen, and wherein each of thefront and rear screens have a concave front side and a convex rear side.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the slidablymoveable front screens of the primary grid assembly have distallylocated ends that are adapted to be secured to corresponding sidewallsof the access tunnel, or the brow, that are adjacent to the stope uponslidably moving the front screen in relation to the stationary rearscreen.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the locatingpins from each of the third and fourth grid members extend upwardly todefine a secondary receptacle in alignment with the primary receptacleto facilitate a stacking of another one of the at least one secondarygrid assembly or the brace.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the braceincludes at least two upright members received axially, and at leastpartly, within the primary receptacles or the secondary receptaclescorresponding to the uppermost one of the primary grid assembly and thesecondary grid assembly, if stacked upon the primary grid assembly.Further, the brace also includes an arcuate tube member independently,and slidably, supported on each of the at least two upright members.Furthermore, the brace also includes a pair of arcuate telescopic armsthat are independently, and slidably, supported within the arcuate tubemember.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, distallylocated ends of the at least two upright members and the pair of arcuatetelescopic arms are adapted to be secured to at least one of a ceilingand corresponding ones of the sidewalls of the access tunnel, or thebrow, upon adjusting one or more of an inclination of the arcuate tubemember in relation to the at least two upright members and a length ofeach telescopic arm relative to the arcuate tube member.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the bracefurther includes at least two slidable clamps to correspond, in number,with the at least two upright members. The at least two slidable clampsare configured to adjustably, and independently, couple the arcuate tubemember to corresponding ones of the at least two upright members.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, each of the atleast two slidable clamps includes a front plate, a back plate, and abolt and nut arrangement to secure the front plate to the back plate foradjustably, and independently, coupling the arcuate tube member tocorresponding ones of the at least two upright members.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a height ofeach upright member and a distance between successive upright members isuser-adjustable.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the braceincludes a plurality of arcuate mesh members, each having a top end anda bottom end of a pre-determined width respectively. Further, the bracealso includes at least one upright stationary case positioned proximalto the top end of each arcuate mesh member and a telescopic arm slidablydisposed within the upright stationary case. A distal end of thetelescopic arm is adjustable in relation to the stationary case forfacilitating a securement of the corresponding arcuate mesh member withthe ceiling of the access tunnel or the brow located adjacent to thestope. Furthermore, the brace also includes at least one clampingelement that is provided on a convex side of each arcuate mesh memberand located proximal to the bottom end of the corresponding arcuate meshmember. The at least one clamping element is operable for facilitating asecurement of the corresponding arcuate mesh member with the uppermostone of the one of the primary grid assembly and the secondary gridassembly, if stacked upon the primary grid assembly.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, each arcuatemesh member has a plurality of upright support ribs successively spacedapart from each other and lengths of successively spaced apart supportribs are one of: equal and unequal to form the top end of the arcuatemesh member in one of: a flattened, inclined, or declined configuration.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, each clampingelement includes a threaded rod rotatably engaged with one of theupright support ribs. The threaded rod has a hook member disposed on,and integrally formed with, a portion of a circumference of the threadedrod. Further, the clamping element includes a winged adjustment nut thatis rotatably supported on the threaded rod. The adjustment nut isrotatably operable to axially vary a position of the threaded rodrelative to the arcuate mesh until the hook member is positioned tosecure the corresponding arcuate mesh member with the uppermost one ofthe one of the primary grid assembly and the secondary grid assembly, ifstacked upon the primary grid assembly.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a height ofeach secondary grid assembly is less than a height of the primary gridassembly.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, beforebackfilling the stope, a front concave side of the barrier is preparedby selectively applying a hessian to the front concave side of thebarrier, and spraying shotcrete over one of the hessian and the frontconcave side of the barrier.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, at least someportion of, the front concave side of the barrier is configured todefine thereon one or more forwardly protruding depth gauges forindicating a depth of the sprayed shotcrete.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, at least theprimary grid assembly of the barrier is foldable from a compactconfiguration when not in use to an expanded configuration forinstallation of the bulkhead prior to backfilling.

According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a convex rearportion of the barrier further comprises one or more latches to securethe folded configuration of the barrier.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the base andthe barrier are each made from zinc plated mild steel.

Other and further aspects and features of the disclosure will be evidentfrom reading the following detailed description of the embodiments,which are intended to illustrate, not limit, the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrated embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will be bestunderstood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals throughout. The following description isintended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selectedembodiments of devices and processes that are consistent with thedisclosed subject matter as claimed herein.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a bulkhead shown installed within an accesstunnel, the bulkhead showing a skid, a primary grid assembly, at leastone secondary grid assembly, and a brace of a barrier, and a weightedmember that are each supported on the skid, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are top and side views of the bulkhead from FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of the bulkhead showing the skid andthe primary grid assembly of the barrier alone, in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D are front, side and top views of the bulkheadshowing the skid and the primary grid assembly of the barrier from FIG.3A;

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of one secondary grid assembly of thebarrier, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D are front, side and top views of the secondary gridassembly of the barrier from FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of the brace showing a portion of thebrace magnified, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 5B, 5C and 5D are front, side and top views of the brace from FIG.5A;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective of the brace shown in another configuration,in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of a clamping element employed by thebrace of FIG. 6 , in accordance with the alternative embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 7B, 7C and 7D are side, top, and front views of the clampingelement from FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a top perspective view of the skid and the primary gridassembly of the barrier in a folded configuration when not in use;

FIGS. 8B and 8C are side and top views of the skid and the primary gridassembly from FIG. 8A;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are top front and bottom rear perspective views of theweighted member, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9C is a top front perspective view of the weighted member showing abollard supported axially therein, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIGS. 9D and 9E are front and top views of the weighted member showing aposition of the bollard within the weighted member taken from FIG. 9C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is made with reference to thefigures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate thedisclosure, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalentvariations in the description that follows.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “oneembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in an embodiment” or “in one embodiment” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided, toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, thatthe disclosed subject matter can be practiced without one or more of thespecific details, or with other structures, components, and materials assubstitution or replacement to the structures, components, materialsdisclosed herein. In other instances, one or more structures,components, and materials disclosed herein may altogether be omitted,and equivalent structures, components, materials may be used in lieuthereof. Also, in the present disclosure, well-known structures,materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoidobscuring aspects of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a bulkhead 100 shown installed within anaccess tunnel 102, the bulkhead 100 showing a skid 104, a primary gridassembly 108, at least one secondary grid assembly 110, and a brace 112of a barrier 106, and a weighted member 114, each of which are supportedon the skid 104, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 2A and 2B are top and side views of the bulkhead 100from FIG. 1 . FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of the bulkhead 100showing the skid 104 and the primary grid assembly 108 of the barrier106 alone, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosurewhile FIGS. 3B, 3C and 3D are front, side and top views of the bulkhead100 showing the skid 104 and the primary grid assembly 108 of thebarrier 106 from FIG. 3A. Further, FIG. 4A is a top perspective view ofone secondary grid assembly 110 of the barrier 106, in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure while FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D arefront, side and top views of the secondary grid assembly 110 of thebarrier 106 from FIG. 4A. Further, FIG. 5A is a top perspective view ofthe brace 112 showing a portion of the brace 112 magnified, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure while FIGS. 5B,5C and 5D are front, side and top views of the brace 112 from FIG. 5A.FIG. 6 is a top perspective of the brace shown in another configuration,in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 7A is a top perspective view of a clamping element employed by thebrace of FIG. 6 , in accordance with the alternative embodiment of thepresent disclosure while FIGS. 7B, 7C and 7D are side, top, and frontviews of the clamping element from FIG. 7A. Furthermore, FIG. 8A is atop perspective view of the skid 104 and the primary grid assembly 108of the barrier 106 in a folded configuration when not in use while FIGS.8B and 6C are side and top views of the skid 104 and the primary gridassembly 108 from FIG. 8A. Still further, FIGS. 9A and 9B are top frontand bottom rear perspective views of the weighted member 114, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Further, FIG.9C is a top front perspective view of the weighted member 114 showing abollard 116 supported axially therein, in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure while FIGS. 9D and 9E are front and top viewsof the weighted member 114 showing a position of the bollard 116 withinthe weighted member 114 taken from FIG. 9C.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the bulkhead 100 is shown positioned within theaccess tunnel 102, or at a brow, for use in facilitating backfilling ofa stope (not shown) upon mining thereof. In embodiments herein, it is tobe noted that use of the bulkhead 100 is intended at, and for, locationsin the access tunnel 102, or the brow, of an underground mine site thatare immediately adjacent to, or adjoining, the previously mined stope.

With continued reference to FIG. 1 and as best shown in the views of2A-2B, 3A, 3C, 6A and 6B, the bulkhead 100 includes the skid 104. Theskid 104 has a base 118 and a pair of post members 120 extendingupwardly from the base 118. Preferably, in an embodiment herein, thepair of post members 120 may be configured to extend upwardly from amid-portion of the base 118 for ensuring maximum stability of the skid104 and therefore, the overall bulkhead 100.

Further, with continued reference to FIG. 1 and as best shown in theviews of FIGS. 3A-3D, the bulkhead 100 also includes the barrier 106.The primary grid assembly 108 of the barrier 106 is pivotally supportedon the pair of post members 120.

Furthermore, with continued reference to FIG. 1 and as best shown in theviews of FIGS. 2B and 4A-4D, the barrier 106 of the bulkhead 100 mayalso have at least one secondary grid assembly 110 selectively, andsequentially, stacked upon the primary grid assembly 108. For instance,two secondary grid assemblies 110 are shown exemplarily in the views ofFIGS. 1 and 2B respectively.

Still further, with continued reference to FIG. 1 and as best shown inthe views of FIGS. 2B and 5A-5D, the brace 112 can be selectivelystacked upon an uppermost one of the primary grid assembly 108 and theat least one secondary grid assembly 110. Referring particularly to FIG.1 , it may be noted that in the specific configuration of the barrier106 shown in the view of FIG. 1 , there are two secondary gridassemblies 110 exemplarily stacked upon the primary grid assembly 108while the brace 112 is stacked upon the uppermost one of the twosecondary grid assemblies 110. However, in other embodiments, otherconfigurations of the barrier 106 may be implemented. For instance, thebarrier 106 of the present disclosure may include the primary gridassembly 108 while the brace 112 may be directly stacked upon theprimary grid assembly 108. In another instance, one or more than two,for example, three, four, or five secondary grid assemblies 110 may bestacked sequentially i.e., one above the other upon the primary gridassembly 108 while the brace 112 may be stacked upon the uppermost oneof the one, two, three, four, or five secondary grid assemblies 110depending on specific requirements of a backfilling application as willbe evident upon perusal of the appended disclosure.

In embodiments herein, an aspect ratio i.e., height and width of thebarrier 106, prior to, backfilling, is operably adjustable byindividually adjusting one or more of the primary grid assembly 108, thesecondary grid assembly 110 and the brace 112 to confirm with an aspectratio i.e., height and width of the access tunnel 102, or the brow, thatis adjacent to the stope for subsequently facilitating backfilling ofthe stope.

In an embodiment as shown best in the views of FIGS. 1, 2A-2B, 3A-3D, 8Aand 8C, the base 118 of the skid 104 further comprises a pair of legs122 attached to a bottom portion 124 of the pair of post members 120.Also, the pair of legs 122 may be equidistantly spaced apart from amid-plane ‘P’ of the skid 104 with a pre-determined distance ‘D’therebetween. The base 118, and in particular, the pair of legs 122therein, as shown in the aforementioned views of FIGS. 1, 2A-2B, 3A-3D,8A and 8C to have a generally square, or rectangular, cross-section tobeneficially aid in the lifting of the barrier 106 by a machine, forinstance, a forklift using the base 118 of the bulkhead 100. To thisend, an amount of the pre-determined distance ‘D’ between each leg 122of the base 118 and the mid-plane ‘P’ of the overall skid 104 isselected so as to correspond in size with, and therefore facilitateengagement with, a work implement used on the machine, for instance, apair of tines that are typically used on the forklift.

Referring to the views of FIGS. 2A-2B, 3A, 3C-3D, 8A and 8Crespectively, in an embodiment, the skid 104 further includes a pair ofinclined support members 126 angularly extending between, and attachedto, a rear portion 128 of the pair of legs 122 and a top portion 130 ofthe pair of post members 120. The inclined support members 126,disclosed herein, may be additionally, or optionally, provided to impartadded strength and improved structural integrity to the bulkhead 100 inwithstanding forces that are likely to be encountered during backfillingof the stope.

Referring now to the views of FIGS. 1, 2A-2B, and 9A-9E respectively,the weighted member 114 may have a pair of holes 132 that may bepositioned in alignment with corresponding ones of the pair of legs 122of the base 118. The weighted member 114 may be slidably, andreleasably, engaged, for example, using the work implement of themachine, with a front portion 134 of the pair of legs 122 upon receiptof the pair of legs 122 from the base 118 within the pair of holes 132that are defined in the weighted member 114. To this end, the holes 132in the weighted member 114 may also be configured i.e., sized and shapedto mutually correspond with a configuration i.e., a size and shape ofthe work implement of the machine, for example, the tines of theforklift as well as the configuration i.e., a size and shape of the base118 and in particular, the pair of legs 122 provided by the base 118.

In a further embodiment, the weighted member 114 may also be furtherconfigured to define at least one horizontal passageway 136therethrough, for example, two horizontal passageways 136 as shown bestin the views of FIGS. 9C-9E. In this embodiment, at least one elongatedbollard 116, for example, four elongated bollards 116 may be axiallydisposed within the two horizontal passageways 136 of the weightedmember 114 as shown best in the views of FIGS. 9C-9E.

Turning to FIG. 1 , and as best shown in the views of FIGS. 3A-3C, and8A-8B respectively, the primary grid assembly 108 includes at least onefirst grid member 138 and at least one second grid member 140 pivotallycoupled to corresponding ones of the pair of post members 120 usinghinges 142. In the exemplary configuration of the primary grid assembly108 depicted in the views of FIGS. 1, 3A-3C, and 8A-8B respectively, theprimary grid assembly 108 is shown to include three left-handed firstgrid members 138 and three right-handed second grid members 140.However, the primary grid assembly 108 is not limited to theaforementioned configuration in which three left-handed and threeright-handed grid members 138, 140 are used. In other configurations,the primary grid assembly 108 may be configured, during manufacture, tocontain equal number of first i.e. right-handed grid members 138 andsecond i.e., left-handed grid members 140 that are positioned in aside-by side configuration to form the primary grid assembly 108.

In a further embodiment as shown best in the views of FIGS. 3A and 3B,each of the first and second grid members 138, 140 further include anarcuate stationary rear screen 144 and a correspondingly arcuate frontscreen 146 that is slidably moveable in relation to the arcuatestationary rear screen 144. Further, each of the front and rear screens146, 144 has a concave front side and a convex rear side. Additionally,referring to FIGS. 1 and 3A-3B, in a further embodiment, the arcuatefront screens 146 of the primary grid assembly 108 has distally locatedends 146 a that are adapted to be secured with corresponding sidewalls102 a of the access tunnel 102, or the brow, upon slidably moving thefront screen 146 in relation to the stationary rear screen 144.

In a further embodiment, the barrier 106 may further include one or moreupright support bars 148, for example, three upright support bars 148 asbest shown in the views of FIGS. 3A, 8A and 8B respectively. Theseupright support bars 148 may be configured to extend along the convexrear side of the arcuate rear screens 144. Further, top portions 130 ofthese upright support bars 148 and the pair of post members 120 may beconfigured define axially upright primary receptacles 150 therein.

Turning again to FIG. 1 , and as best shown in the views of FIGS. 4A-4D,in an embodiment, each secondary grid assembly 110 of the barrier 106may include a third grid member 152 and a fourth grid member 154 thatare pivotally connected to each other. Further, each of the third andfourth grid members 152, 154 may further include locating pins 156 thatare configured to depend downwardly to engage with corresponding ones ofthe axially upright primary receptacles 150 defined in top portions 130of the post members 120 and the upright support bars 148 (see FIGS. 1,3A, 8A and 8C respectively) for rendering the at least one secondarygrid assembly 110 co-planar with the primary grid assembly 108 whenstacked sequentially upon the primary grid assembly 108.

In a further embodiment as shown best in the views of FIGS. 4A and 4B,each of the third and fourth grid members 152, 154 further include anarcuate stationary rear screen 158 and a correspondingly arcuate frontscreen 160 that is slidably moveable in relation to the arcuatestationary rear screen 158. Further, each of the front and rear screens160, 158 has a concave front side and a convex rear side to correspondwith the concave front side and the convex rear side of the primary gridassembly 108, or another secondary grid assembly 110, when the secondarygrid assembly 110 is stacked above the primary grid assembly 108, or theother secondary grid assembly 110, in a sequential manner as disclosedearlier herein. Furthermore, in an embodiment as best shown in the viewof FIG. 1 , the slidable front screens 160 of the secondary gridassembly 110 have distally located ends 160 a that are adapted to besecured to corresponding sidewalls 102 a of the access tunnel 102, orthe brow, that are adjacent to the stope upon slidably moving the frontscreen 160 in relation to the stationary rear screen 158.

Moreover, with continued reference to the view of FIGS. 1 and 4A-4C inconjunction with the views of FIGS. 3A and 3D respectively, in anembodiment, the locating pins 156 from each of the third and fourth gridmembers 152, 154 extend upwardly to define a secondary receptacle 162.In this embodiment, a positioning of the locating pin 156 is selected soas to render the secondary receptacle 162 in alignment with the primaryreceptacle 150 for facilitating a stacking of another one of the atleast one secondary grid assembly 110, for example, a second, third, orfourth secondary grid assembly 110 or the brace 112 itself on theuppermost one of the secondary grid assemblies 110 when more than onesecondary grid assembly 110 is used to form the barrier 106 disclosedherein.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2B, and 5A-5D respectively, the brace 112 mayinclude at least two upright members 164, for example, three uprightmembers 164 as shown, that are received axially, and at least partly,within the primary receptacles 150 or the secondary receptacles 162corresponding to the uppermost one of the primary grid assembly 108 andthe secondary grid assembly 110 if, or when, stacked upon the primarygrid assembly 108. Further, the brace 112 may also include an arcuatetube member 166 independently, and slidably, supported on each of the atleast two upright members 164. Furthermore, the brace 112 may alsoinclude a pair of arcuate telescopic arms 168 that are independently,and slidably, supported within the arcuate tube member 166. Theindependent slidable adjustment in the positioning of each arcuatetelescopic arm 168 is configured to facilitate an extension andretraction of the corresponding arcuate telescopic arm 168 in relationto the arcuate tube member 166 for adjusting a length of thecorresponding arcuate telescopic arm 168 and therefore, an overall widthof the brace 112.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2B, and 5A-5D respectively, in afurther embodiment of this disclosure, distally located ends 164 a, 168a of the at least two upright members 164 and the pair of arcuatetelescopic arms 168 are adapted to be secured to at least one of aceiling ‘C’ and corresponding ones of the sidewalls 102 a of the accesstunnel 102, or the brow, upon adjusting one or more of an inclination ofthe arcuate tube member 166 in relation to the at least two uprightmembers 164 and the length of each telescopic arm 168 relative to thearcuate tube member 166. The adjustment of the inclination of thearcuate tube member 166 in relation to the at least two upright members164 and the length of each telescopic arm 168 relative to the arcuatetube member 166 will be explained hereinafter.

In a further embodiment, the brace 112 may further include at least twoslidable clamps 170 to correspond, in number, with the at least twoupright members 164, for example, three slidable clamps 170corresponding to the three upright members 164 as exemplarily shown inthe views of FIGS. 1, 2B, and 5A-5D respectively. The at least twoslidable clamps 170 are configured to adjustably, and independently,couple the arcuate tube member 166 to corresponding ones of the at leasttwo upright members 164.

Further, in an embodiment as best shown in the magnified view of thesliding clamp 170 in FIG. 5A, each of the slidable clamps 170 mayinclude a front plate 172, a back plate 174, and a bolt and nutarrangement 176 that are configured to secure the front plate 172 to theback plate 174 for adjustably, and independently, coupling the arcuatetube member 166 to corresponding ones of the at least two uprightmembers 164. In embodiments herein, a height of each upright member 164and a distance ‘d’ between successive upright members 164 isuser-adjustable. Mining personnel may, therefore, easily and quicklyadjust the height of each upright member 164 and the distance ‘d’between successive upright members 164, for instance, depending on aheight, or curvature, of the ceiling ‘C’ of the access tunnel 102. Inthe foregoing embodiments, a specific configuration of the brace 112 hasbeen explained for use and implementation in securing the barrier 106 ofthe bulkhead 100 to the ceiling ‘C’ of the access tunnel 102 (or thebrow), in other embodiments such as, for instance, the embodimentspertaining to FIGS. 6 and 7A-7D appended below, other types ofstructures may be used to form other, or altogether different,configurations of the brace in lieu of that disclosed by way of theforegoing embodiments. Therefore, upon perusal of the appendeddisclosure, it will be acknowledged by persons skilled in the art thatspecific configurations of the brace disclosed herein is merelyillustrative and explanatory in nature and accordingly, such specificconfigurations are to be construed as being non-limiting of thisdisclosure. Rather, persons skilled in the art may readily implement theuse of adjustable, partially adjustable, or even non-adjustableconfigurations of braces for use depending on specific requirements ofan application without deviating from the spirit of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to the view of FIGS. 6 and 7A-7D respectively, in analternative embodiment, another configuration of a brace 600 may includea plurality of arcuate mesh members 602, for example, five arcuate meshmembers 602 a-602 e as shown best in the view of FIG. 6 . Each arcuatemesh member 602 may be configured to include a top end 604 and a bottomend 606 while each arcuate mesh member is also configured to be of, orhave, a pre-determined width ‘M’.

Further, in this alternative embodiment, the brace 600 may also includeat least one upright stationary case 608 positioned proximal to the topend 604 of each arcuate mesh member 602 and a telescopic arm 610slidably disposed within the upright stationary case 608. A distal end610 a of the telescopic arm 610 is adjustable in relation to thestationary case 608 for facilitating a securement of the correspondingarcuate mesh member 602 a-602 e with the ceiling ‘C’ of the accesstunnel 102 (see FIG. 1 ), or the brow, at a position located adjacent tothe stope.

Furthermore, the brace 600 may also be configured to include at leastone clamping element 612 that may be provided on a convex side of eacharcuate mesh member 602 and located proximal to the bottom end 606 ofthe corresponding arcuate mesh member 602 a-602 e. The clamping element612 is operable for facilitating a securement of the correspondingarcuate mesh member 602 a-602 e with the uppermost one of the one of theprimary grid assembly 108 and the secondary grid assembly 110, ifstacked upon the primary grid assembly 108.

In a further embodiment as best shown in the view of FIG. 6 , eacharcuate mesh member 602 a-602 e may have a plurality of upright supportribs 614 successively spaced apart from each other and in which lengths‘l’ of successively spaced apart support ribs 614 may be equal orunequal so as to facilitate the formation of the top ends 604 ofcorresponding ones of the arcuate mesh members 602 a-602 e in one of aflattened, inclined, or declined configuration.

For example, as can be seen from FIG. 6 , the upright support ribs 614in each of the arcuate mesh members 602 a, 602 b, 602 d, and 602 e areunequal in length and consequently, the top ends 604 formed by theupright support ribs 614 on each of these corresponding arcuate meshmembers 602 a, 602 b, 602 d, and 602 e have an inclined, or declined,configuration. However, in another example, the upright support ribs 614of the arcuate mesh member 602 c are equal in length and therefore, thetop end 604 of the arcuate mesh member 602 c has a flattenedconfiguration. It may be noted that one or more of these mesh members602 a-602 e may be rearranged in position, replaced with a mesh memberof a specific configuration i.e., flattened, inclined, or declined, oromitted altogether from the arrangement to suit, or conform to, acontour, or profile, of the ceiling ‘C’ (see FIG. 1 ) that is known todictate, at least in part, an aspect ratio of the overall brow or accesstunnel 102, detailed explanation to which will be made later herein.

Further, with continued reference to the view of FIG. 6 and as shownbest in the views of FIGS. 7A-7D, each clamping element 612 may includea threaded rod 702 rotatably engaged with one of the upright supportribs 614. The threaded rod 702 has a hook member 704 disposed on, andintegrally formed with, a portion of a circumference ‘C_(r)’ of thethreaded rod 702. Further, the clamping element 612 may include a wingedadjustment nut 706 that is rotatably supported on the threaded rod 702.The adjustment nut 706 may be rotatably operated to axially vary aposition of the threaded rod 702 relative to the arcuate mesh member 602until the hook member 704 is positioned to secure the correspondingarcuate mesh member 602 with the uppermost one of the primary gridassembly 108 and the secondary grid assembly 110, if stacked upon theprimary grid assembly 108. For accomplishing securement, the wingedadjustment nut 706 is rotated about its axis to impart torque to axiallytranslate the threaded rod 702 and therefore, the hook member 704 on thethreaded rod 702 until the hook member 704 engages with a horizontal ribof the uppermost one of the primary grid assembly 108 and the secondarygrid assembly 110, if stacked upon the primary grid assembly 108.

In a further embodiment as shown in the view of FIGS. 1 and 2Brespectively, a height 112′ of each secondary grid assembly 110 may beless than a height ‘H1’ of the primary grid assembly 108. Byfacilitating a difference in the heights ‘H1’, ‘H2’ of respective onesof the primary and secondary grid assemblies 108, 110, mining personnelare beneficially imparted with added flexibility to vary, or increase, acumulative height [(H1+(n*H2)) where ‘n’ is the number of secondary gridassemblies 110 used in forming the barrier 106] of the primary andsecondary grid assemblies 108, 110 and therefore, the overall height ofthe barrier 106 in nominal, or incremental steps, when stacking one ormore secondary grid assemblies 110 onto the primary grid assembly 108 sothat distal ends 164 a, 168 a of the brace 112 can abut with the ceiling‘C’ and/or the sidewalls 102 a of the access tunnel 102. Thisflexibility in adjustment to the cumulative height [H1 +(n*H2)] of theprimary and secondary grid assemblies 108, 110, and, therefore, theoverall height [(H1+(n*H2)+(x*H)] of the barrier 106 is in addition to,and inclusive of, the adjustments (‘x’), or final adjustments (‘x’),that can be made by the mining personnel to the height ‘H’ of eachupright member 164 of the brace 112 that can again be easilyaccomplished by slidably adjusting a position of each upright member 164relative to the uppermost one of the secondary grid assemblies 110, orthe primary grid assembly 108 when the secondary grid assembly 110 isomitted from use, to allow for the distal ends of the brace 112 to abutwith the ceiling ‘C’ of the access tunnel 102, or the brow, that islocated adjacent to the stope.

In embodiments herein, before backfilling the stope, the front concaveside of the barrier 106 may be prepared by selectively applying ahessian (not shown), that is commonly known to be made of jute, oranother similar, or dissimilar, fiber, to the concave front side of thebarrier 106. Thereafter, the barrier 106 may be further prepared byspraying shotcrete, a liquid form of concrete that is flowable underpneumatic pressure, over one of the hessian and the concave front sideof the barrier 106. To this end, in a further embodiment of thisdisclosure as shown best in the views of FIGS. 2A-2B, 3A-3D, 4A-4D, 5Aand 5C-5D respectively, at least some portion of, the front concave sideof the barrier 106 is configured to define thereon one or more forwardlyprotruding depth gauges 178 for indicating a depth of the sprayedshotcrete to the mining personnel.

Further, in the views of FIGS. 3A-3D, the primary grid assembly 108 isshown in an expanded configuration for facilitating installation of thebulkhead 100 while in the view of FIGS. 8A-8D respectively, the primarygrid assembly 108 is shown in a compacted configuration obtained fromfolding of the primary grid assembly 108 about the pair of post members120. Accordingly, in an embodiment herein, at least the primary gridassembly 108 of the barrier 106 is foldable from the compactconfiguration, for example, when not in use by using the pivotalmovement of the first and second grid members 138, 140 about the hinges142 on corresponding ones of the post members 120 to the expandedconfiguration for facilitating the installation of the bulkhead 100i.e., prior to backfilling the stope. Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, 3A,3C-3D, and 8A-8C, in a further embodiment, the convex rear portion 128of the barrier 106 may further include one or more latches 180, forexample, two latches 180 that may be operable i.e., by the useroperatively moving the first and second grid members 138, 140 of theprimary grid assembly 108, and therefore, the pair of latches 180, tosecurely position the expanded configuration of the primary gridassembly 108 of the barrier 106 (see FIG. 3A). Accordingly, inembodiments herein, upon expanding the foldable first and second gridmembers 138, 140 of the primary grid assembly 108 i.e., prior toaccomplishing an installation of the bulkhead 100 within the accesstunnel 102, the latches 180 may be configured to latch onto a cross-bar182, or another equivalent structure, that may be provided at themid-portion of the base 118, in this case, between the pair of legs 122of the base 118 as shown best in the view of FIG. 3D.

In an embodiment herein, the base 118 and the barrier 106 may, each, bemade from zinc plated mild steel. Although mild steel with zinc platingthereon has been disclosed herein, such a selection of material ismerely explanatory in nature and hence, non-limiting of this disclosure.In alternative embodiments, other materials may be used in place of, orin lieu of, the zinc plated mild steel disclosed herein depending onspecific requirements of an application including, but not limited to, adesired amount of weight to be imparted to each of the base 118 and thebarrier 106, a desired amount of strength and structural integrity to beimparted to each of the base 118 and the barrier 106, a cost-to-weightanalysis computed beforehand for each of the base 118 and the barrier106, availability of materials at a mine support and/or preparationfacility, and so on. Therefore, a specific type of material used forforming respective ones of the base 118 and the barrier 106 are merelyillustrative in nature and persons skilled in the art can readilyimplement a selection of other types of materials to form respectiveones of the base 118 and the barrier 106 without deviating from thespirit of the present disclosure.

In embodiments herein, each of the primary grid assembly 108, thesecondary grid assembly 110 and the brace 112 are individuallyadjustable so that distal ends of each of the primary grid assembly 108,the secondary grid assembly 110 and the brace 112 can abut withcorresponding ones of the sidewalls 102 a and/or the ceiling ‘C’ of theaccess tunnel 102 for securement therewith. It is hereby envisioned thatowing to irregularities in a surface of the access tunnel 102 or thebrow, the sidewalls 102 a and and/or the ceiling ‘C’ of the accesstunnel 102 or the brow may exhibit uneven, or non-uniformly contouredsurfaces that subsequently render the access tunnel 102, or the brow,with an irregular polygonal cross-section and whose dynamically varyingaspect ratio can be fully complied with by the use of the bulkhead 100disclosed herein. Therefore, with implementation and use of theembodiments disclosed herein, the present disclosure advantageouslyprovides mining personnel with infinite, or limitless, possibilities forvarying the aspect ratio of the barrier 106 so that the dynamicallyvaried aspect ratio of the barrier 106 i.e., different widths atdifferent heights, for example, W1, W2, and W3 at respective ones of H1,(H1+(2*H2)), and (H1+(2*H2)+H) of the barrier 106 as shown in FIG. 1 ,that confirms to the dynamically changing aspect ratios of the accesstunnel 102, or the brow, in which the bulkhead 100 is intended for usei.e., when the bulkhead 100 is installed for facilitating backfilling ofthe stope.

Further, it is hereby envisioned that as the bulkhead 100 can beinstalled in the access tunnel 102, or the brow, immediately adjacent tothe leading edge of the stope, the bulkhead 100 of the presentdisclosure obviates the need for extraneous backfilling material thatwas previously used in conjunction with conventional practices of stopemining. Such elimination, or mitigation, of the extraneous backfillingmaterial may further help mining personnel/company eliminate significantamounts of waste, in terms of time, materials, and costs that waspreviously encountered with use of the extraneous backfilling materialas such backfilling material was, in conventional practice, prepared andpoured into the stope and at least some portion of the access tunnel102, or the brow, adjacent to the stope only to be blasted again uponhardening and to, further, be carried away to another location resultingin the significant amounts of waste. As the bulkhead 100 of the presentdisclosure can be installed fairly easily and quickly when compared toimplementation of conventional practices, use of the bulkhead 100disclosed herein can help mining personnel/company save valuable time,costs, and effort that are now minimally entailed for the performance ofbackfilling operations while concomitantly resulting in an improvedprocess performance of the overall mining operations and allowing forrealization of improved profitability and revenue from such miningoperations.

It will be appreciated that features of the present disclosure aresusceptible to being combined in various combinations without departingfrom the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appendedclaims. Also, various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art, which are also intendedto be encompassed by the following claims.

The above description does not provide specific details of manufactureor design of the various components. Those of skill in the art arefamiliar with such details, and unless departures from those techniquesare set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designsand materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable ofchoosing suitable manufacturing and design details. The terminology usedherein is for the purpose of describing.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bulkhead (100) for use in facilitatingbackfilling of a stope upon mining thereof, the bulkhead (100)comprising: a skid (104) having a base (118) and a pair of post members(120) extending upwardly from the base (118); a barrier (106) having: aprimary grid assembly (108) pivotally supported on the pair of postmembers (120); at least one secondary grid assembly (110) selectively,and sequentially, stacked upon the primary grid assembly (108); and abrace (112) selectively stacked upon a uppermost one of the primary gridassembly (108) and the at least one secondary grid assembly (110),wherein an aspect ratio of the barrier (106), prior to, backfilling, isoperably adjustable by individually adjusting one or more of the primarygrid assembly (108), the secondary grid assembly (110) and the brace(112) to confirm with an aspect ratio of an access tunnel (102), or abrow (102), adjacent to the stope for subsequently facilitatingbackfilling of the stope.
 2. The bulkhead (100) of claim 1, wherein thebase (118) of the skid (104) further comprises a pair of legs (122)attached to a bottom portion (124) of the pair of post members (120),the pair of legs (122) equidistantly spaced apart from a mid-plane (P)of the skid (104) with a pre-determined distance (D) therebetween. 3.The bulkhead (100) of claim 2, wherein the skid (104) further comprisesa pair of inclined support members (126) angularly extending between,and attached to, a rear portion (128) of the pair of legs (122) and atop portion (130) of the pair of post members (120).
 4. The bulkhead(100) of claim 3 further comprising a weighted member (114) having apair of holes (132) in alignment with corresponding ones of the pair oflegs (122) of the base (118), the weighted member (114) slidably, andreleasably, engaged with a front portion (134) of the pair of legs (122)upon receipt of the pair of legs (122) within the pair of holes (132).5. The bulkhead (100) of claim 4, wherein the weighted member (114) isfurther configured to define at least one horizontal passageway (136)defined therethrough, and wherein the weighted member (114) includes atleast one elongated bollard axially disposed within the at least onehorizontal passageway (136).
 6. The bulkhead (100) of claim 1, whereinthe primary grid assembly (108) includes at least one first grid member(138) and at least one second grid member (140) pivotally coupled tocorresponding ones of the pair of post members (120) using hinges (142).7. The bulkhead (100) of claim 6, wherein each of the first and secondgrid members (138, 140) further include an arcuate stationary rearscreen (144) and a correspondingly arcuate front screen (146) slidablymoveable in relation to the arcuate stationary rear screen (144), andwherein each of the front and rear screens (146, 144) have a concavefront side and a convex rear side.
 8. The bulkhead (100) of claim 7,wherein the arcuate front screens (146) of the primary grid assembly(108) has distally located ends (146 a) that are adapted to be securedwith corresponding sidewalls of the access tunnel (102), or the brow(102), upon slidably moving the front screen (146) in relation to thestationary rear screen (144).
 9. The bulkhead (100) of claim 7, whereinthe barrier (106) further comprises one or more upright support bars(148) extending along the convex rear side of the arcuate stationaryrear screens (144), the upright support bars (148) and the pair of postmembers (120) having top portions (130) defining axially upright primaryreceptacles (150) therein.
 10. The bulkhead (100) of claim 9, whereineach secondary grid assembly (110) of the barrier (106) comprises athird grid member (152) and a fourth grid member (154) pivotallyconnected to each other, and wherein each of the third and fourth gridmembers (152, 154) further includes locating pins (156) dependingdownwardly to engage with corresponding ones of the axially uprightprimary receptacles (150) defined in top portions (130) of the pair ofpost members (120) and the upright support bars (148) for rendering theat least one secondary grid assembly (110) co-planar with the primarygrid assembly (108) when stacked sequentially upon the primary gridassembly (108).
 11. The bulkhead (100) of claim 10, wherein each of thethird and fourth grid members (152, 154) further include an arcuatestationary rear screen (158) and a correspondingly arcuate front screen(160) slidably moveable in relation to the arcuate stationary rearscreen (158), and wherein each of the front and rear screens (158, 160)have a concave front side and a convex rear side.
 12. The bulkhead (100)of claim 11, wherein the slidably moveable front screens (160) of thesecondary grid assembly (110) have distally located ends (160 a) thatare adapted to be secured to corresponding sidewalls of the accesstunnel (102), or the brow (102), that are adjacent to the stope uponslidably moving the front screen (160) in relation to the stationaryrear screen (158).
 13. The bulkhead (100) of claim 10, wherein thelocating pins (156) from each of the third and fourth grid members (152,154) extend upwardly to define a secondary receptacle (162) in alignmentwith the primary receptacle (150) to facilitate a stacking of anotherone of the at least one secondary grid assembly (110) or the brace(112).
 14. The bulkhead (100) of claim 13, wherein the brace (112)comprises: at least two upright members (164) received axially, and atleast partly, within the primary receptacles (150) or the secondaryreceptacles (162) corresponding to the uppermost one of the primary gridassembly (108) and the secondary grid assembly (110), if stacked uponthe primary grid assembly (108); an arcuate tube member (166)independently, and slidably, supported on each of the at least twoupright members (164); and a pair of arcuate telescopic arms (168)independently, and slidably, supported within the arcuate tube member(166).
 15. The bulkhead (100) of claim 14, wherein distally located ends(164 a, 168 a) of the at least two upright members (164) and the pair ofarcuate telescopic arms (168) are adapted to be secured to at least oneof: a ceiling (C) and corresponding ones of the sidewalls of the accesstunnel (102), or the brow (102), upon adjusting one or more of: aninclination of the arcuate tube member (166) in relation to the at leasttwo upright members (164), and a length of each arcuate telescopic arm(168) relative to the arcuate tube member (166).
 16. The bulkhead (100)of claim 15, wherein the brace (112) further includes at least twoslidable clamps (170) to correspond, in number, with the at least twoupright members (164), wherein the at least two slidable clamps (170)are configured to adjustably, and independently, couple the arcuate tubemember (166) to corresponding ones of the at least two upright members(164).
 17. The bulkhead (100) of clam 16, wherein each of the at leasttwo slidable clamps (170) includes a front plate (172), a back plate(174), and a bolt and nut arrangement (176) to secure the front plate(172) to the back plate (174) for adjustably, and independently,coupling the arcuate tube member (166) to corresponding ones of the atleast two upright members (164).
 18. The bulkhead (100) of claim 17,wherein a height (H) of each upright member and a distance (d) betweensuccessive upright members (164) is user-adjustable.
 19. The bulkhead(100) of claim 13, wherein the brace (112) comprises: a plurality ofarcuate mesh members (602), each having a top end (604) and a bottom end(606) of a pre-determined width (M) respectively; at least one uprightstationary case positioned proximal to the top end (604) of each arcuatemesh member (602) and a telescopic arm (610) slidably disposed withinthe upright stationary case, wherein a distal end (610 a) of thetelescopic arm (610) is adjustable in relation to the stationary casefor facilitating a securement of a corresponding arcuate mesh member(602) with a ceiling (C) of the access tunnel (102) or the brow (102)located adjacent to the stope; and at least one clamping element (612)provided on a convex side of each arcuate mesh member (602) and locatedproximal to the bottom end (606) of the corresponding arcuate meshmember (602), the at least one clamping element (612) operable forfacilitating a securement of the corresponding arcuate mesh member (602)with the uppermost one of the one of the primary grid assembly (108) andthe secondary grid assembly (110), if stacked upon the primary gridassembly (108).
 20. The bulkhead (100) of claim 19, wherein each arcuatemesh member (602) has a plurality of upright support ribs (614)successively spaced apart from each other, and wherein lengths (l) ofsuccessively spaced apart support ribs (614) are one of: equal andunequal to form the top end (604) of the arcuate mesh member (602) inone of: a flattened, inclined, or declined configuration.
 21. Thebulkhead (100) of claim 19, wherein each clamping element (612)includes: a threaded rod (702) rotatably engaged with one of the uprightsupport ribs (614), the threaded rod (702) having a hook member (704)disposed on, and integrally formed with, a portion of a circumference(C_(r)) of the threaded rod (702); and a winged adjustment nut (706)rotatably supported on the threaded rod (702), the adjustment nut (706)rotatably operable to axially vary a position of the threaded rod (702)relative to the arcuate mesh until the hook member (704) is positionedto secure the corresponding arcuate mesh member (602) with the uppermostone of the one of the primary grid assembly (108) and the secondary gridassembly (110), if stacked upon the primary grid assembly (108).
 22. Thebulkhead (100) of claim 1, wherein a height (H2) of each secondary gridassembly (110) is less than a height (H1) of the primary grid assembly(108).
 23. The bulkhead (100) of claim 1, wherein, before backfillingthe stope, a front concave side of the barrier (106) is prepared by:selectively applying a hessian to the front concave side of the barrier(106); and spraying shotcrete over one of the hessian and the frontconcave side of the barrier (106).
 24. The bulkhead (100) of claim 23,wherein, at least some portion of, the front concave side of the barrier(106) is configured to define thereon one or more forwardly protrudingdepth gauges (178) for indicating a depth of the sprayed shotcrete. 25.The bulkhead (100) of claim 1, wherein at least the primary gridassembly (108) of the barrier (106) is foldable from a compactconfiguration when not in use to an expanded configuration forinstallation of the bulkhead (100) prior to backfilling.
 26. Thebulkhead (100) of claim 25, wherein a convex rear portion of the barrier(106) further comprises one or more latches (180) to secure the expandedconfiguration of the barrier (106).
 27. The bulkhead (100) of claim 1,wherein the base (118) and the barrier (106) are each made from zincplated mild steel.